Police and community briefs for Sept. 11, 2013

Published: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 7:22 p.m.

Police beat

Man accused of stalking his ex

A man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, who told police she left him because of abuse, was arrested Monday and faces an aggravated stalking charge.

The 30-year-old woman told Detective Mat Steckman that she and her fiance, Joseph C. Rainford, 45, had an argument Thursday, and he locked her out of their residence. She said she later went in the home, but he locked the bedroom door. She said she waited until he went to sleep, gathered some clothing and left. She said she is afraid of Rainford because he has previously threatened to hurt her if she left him and did so again after the incident. She said he also was stalking her.

Rainford denied the accusation. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held on $7,500 bond.

Reward offered to nab home burglar

A homeowner is offering $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burglarized his home and stole electronics and a rifle.

Among the items taken in the July 30 burglary, in the 7100 block of Southeast 92nd Street, were a Remington Model 552 .22-caliber rifle with a scope, two large flat-screen televisions, a digital camera and Bose headphones.

Anyone with information can call Detective Aaron Levay at 438-5948 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using the keyword 368stop or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

Community

CF offering course on history topics

The CF Institute at the College of Central Florida will offer history-themed courses at the Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road.

For more information, call 873-5804, visit CFItraining.cf.edu or email CFI.CustomerCare@cf.edu.

Caregivers sought for foster program

The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System has expanded the Medical Foster Home Program.

Medical foster homes are a long-term care alternative for veterans with a chronic medical illness or disability who cannot live alone and do not want to live in a nursing home. The program is a 24/7 level of planned care in a VA approved homes with supportive services from a VA home care team.

Potential caregivers must have formal or informal caregiving experience such as nursing, CNA experience, or skills developed caring for a family member or friend. They must be at least 21 years of age; own or rent a home and live in Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam or Sumter county; and have a designated relief caregiver.

For more information, call 376-1611, Ext. 6005, or email at Tanya.Fookes@va.gov.

<p>Police beat</p><p><strong>Man accused of stalking his ex</strong></p><p>A man accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, who told police she left him because of abuse, was arrested Monday and faces an aggravated stalking charge.</p><p>The 30-year-old woman told Detective Mat Steckman that she and her fiance, Joseph C. Rainford, 45, had an argument Thursday, and he locked her out of their residence. She said she later went in the home, but he locked the bedroom door. She said she waited until he went to sleep, gathered some clothing and left. She said she is afraid of Rainford because he has previously threatened to hurt her if she left him and did so again after the incident. She said he also was stalking her.</p><p>Rainford denied the accusation. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held on $7,500 bond.</p><p><strong>Reward offered to nab home burglar</strong></p><p>A homeowner is offering $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who burglarized his home and stole electronics and a rifle.</p><p>Among the items taken in the July 30 burglary, in the 7100 block of Southeast 92nd Street, were a Remington Model 552 .22-caliber rifle with a scope, two large flat-screen televisions, a digital camera and Bose headphones.</p><p>Anyone with information can call Detective Aaron Levay at 438-5948 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, text a tip to 274637 using the keyword 368stop or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.</p><p> </p><p>Community</p><p><strong>CF offering course on history topics</strong></p><p>The CF Institute at the College of Central Florida will offer history-themed courses at the Ocala campus, 3001 SW College Road.</p><p>Women Who Changed History: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 11-Oct. 16. $10.</p><p>Historical Geography of the Holy Land Part I: 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 13-Oct. 18. $50.</p><p>Fascinating Historical Characters: noon to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 23-Oct. 7. $50.</p><p>For more information, call 873-5804, visit CFItraining.cf.edu or email CFI.CustomerCare@cf.edu.</p><p><strong>Caregivers sought for foster program</strong></p><p>The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System has expanded the Medical Foster Home Program.</p><p>Medical foster homes are a long-term care alternative for veterans with a chronic medical illness or disability who cannot live alone and do not want to live in a nursing home. The program is a 24/7 level of planned care in a VA approved homes with supportive services from a VA home care team.</p><p>Potential caregivers must have formal or informal caregiving experience such as nursing, CNA experience, or skills developed caring for a family member or friend. They must be at least 21 years of age; own or rent a home and live in Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Putnam or Sumter county; and have a designated relief caregiver.</p><p>For more information, call 376-1611, Ext. 6005, or email at Tanya.Fookes@va.gov.</p><p><strong>Veterans meetings set for the week</strong></p><p><em>Wednesday</em></p><p>DAV Chapter 85, 1 p.m., 9892 SE 58th Ave., Belleview. (245-9080)</p><p>Vietnam Veterans of America Post 814, 7 p.m., USMC League, 2529 N. Magnolia Ave., Ocala.</p><p><em>Thursday</em></p><p>Charles A. Whiteacre Memorial VFW Post 10208 and auxiliary, 7 p.m., 23498 NE County Road 314, Salt Springs. (685-2707)</p><p>Eugene Quinn VFW Post 4337 and auxiliary, 7:30 p.m., 906 E. State Road 44, Inverness. (344-3495)</p><p>Leroy Rooks Jr. VFW Post 4252 and auxiliary, 7:30 p.m., 3190 N. Carl G. Rose Highway, Hernando. (726-3339)</p><p><em>Saturday</em></p><p>North Central Florida All Airborne Chapter, 1 p.m., VFW Post 8083, 12666 SE U.S. 441, Belleview. (873-1625)</p><p>WAVES Post 99, noon, call for location. (595-4464 or 622-5401)</p><p><em>Monday</em></p><p>Ralph J. Green American Legion Post 354 1 p.m., Sheriff's Brian Litz Building , 9408 SW State Road 200, Ocala. (854-9976)</p><p>Angela S. Santos VFW Post 4781, men's auxiliary, 6 p.m., 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala (873-4781)</p><p>American Legion Post 230, noon, 208 Ashley St., Hawthorne. (481-3266)</p><p><em>Tuesday</em></p><p>Angela S. Santos VFW Post 4781, 6:30 p.m., 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala (873-4781)</p><p>WACVA Post 71, 1 p.m., 543 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala. (245-5480 or 347-1543)</p>